A WORKER was &#x201c;lucky to escape with his life&#x201d; after falling 16 feet through a fragile roof on a farm.

David Evans of Bury Street, Hightown, Wrexham, sustained injuries to his knee, arm and a dislocated shoulder in the fall at Bryn Gwyn Farm, Rhuddlan, in March last year.

The farm was owned by Denbighshire County Council.

The accident has prompted the Health and Safety Executive to warn businesses about the dangers their employees and contractors face in working at height.

Both the council and contractor Neil James of Bromfield Lane, Mold, pleaded guilty to charges under section three of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 at Wrexham Magistrates&#x2019; Court.

James was fined #1,000 with #500 costs, and the council was fined #8,000 with #5,300 costs.

Health and Safety Executive inspector Debbie John said: &#x201c;Despite his injuries, Mr Evans was lucky to escape with his life from this incident as there are too many fatalities resulting from falls, and often from a much lower height than 4.9 metres, as in this case.

&#x201c;Working at height is an occupational hazard in many jobs, but it is imperative that employers take the necessary safety precautions when any of their workers are in this position.&#x201d;

In Denbighshire there were 12 falls from height incidents reported to enforcing authorities in the period 2004/05, with a total of 523 forWales.